Facsimile apparatus operable as a printer

ABSTRACT

A facsimile apparatus having an external interface and having a printer mode for printing out data received through the external interface and a facsimile mode for communicating image data through a line, comprises a detection unit for detecting occurrence of factor to operate as facsimie; and a unit normally set in the printer mode, for switching the mode from the printer mode to the facsimile mode in accordance with the detection by the detection unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which hasan external interface and is operable as a printer.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] In a conventional printer built-in facsimile apparatus, it isnormally operated in a facsimile mode to function as a facsimileapparatus, and when it is to be operated as a printer, a user switchesto a printer mode, and after the operation as the printer, the useragain switches back to the facsimile mode.

[0005] In the prior art apparatus, when it is desired to print out adocument from a computer, it is necessary to switch the mode of thefacsimile apparatus each time. This is very troublesome particularlywhen the computer is located at a distant place from the facsimileapparatus.

[0006] Further, if the user forget to switch back to the facsimile modeafter he/she has used in the printer mode, the facsimile apparatus failsto receive a calling signal (CI) from a line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to improve a facsimileapparatus to avoid the above problems.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide afacsimile apparatus which assures switching between the facsimile modeand the printer mode without troublesome operation.

[0009] In order to achieve the above objects, in accordance with thepresent invention, means is provided which normally stands by as aprinter (stands by in the printer mode), and when the occurrence of anoperation factor as the facsimile apparatus is detected by detectionmeans, switches from the printer mode to the facsimile mode.

[0010] In accordance with a further feature of the present invention,the operability of the apparatus is improved by efficiently conductingthe switching between the facsimile mode and the printer mode.

[0011] Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a firstembodiment of the present invention,

[0013]FIG. 2 shows flow chart of a process in a stand-by mode in thefirst embodiment,

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a process in a stand-by mode in asecond embodiment of the present invention,

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a printer process in a thirdembodiment of the present invention,

[0016]FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a process in a stand-by mode in thethird embodiment,

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a fourthembodiment of the present invention, and

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a process in a stand-by mode in thefourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are nowdescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020]FIG. 1 shows block diagram of a configuration of the facsimileapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0021] The facsimile apparatus comprises a CI detection unit 1 fordetecting a calling signal (CI call) from an external line, a hookdetection unit 2 for detecting a status of a hook switch of an accessorytelephone set, a document detection unit 3 for detecting the presence orabsence of a document at a document read station of a document read unit12, a start key 4 by which a user instructs the transmission, thereception or the copying, a printer 5 for printing an image on a recordsheet, a CPU 6 for controlling the printer and the facsimile apparatus,an external interface for a printer mode of the facsimile apparatus, aprint data buffer 9 for temporarily storing print data received from theexternal interface 7, a switching key 10 for switching between anauto-receive mode and a manual receive mode, and a key buffer 11 fortemporarily storing the content of the depressed key. Numeral 13 denotesa modem and numeral 14 denotes a NCU for switching the line between atelephone set 15 and the modem 13.

[0022] The CPU 6 continuously monitors the start key 4 and the receivemode switching key 10 by perodic interruption, and when one of the keysis depressed, it saves the information in the key buffer 11. The CPU 6also continuously monitors the external interface 7 by the periodicinterruption, and when print data is received, it saves the informationin the print data buffer 9.

[0023] The CPU 6 operates in the printer mode during the stand-by.During the printer mode, the CPU 6 controls the printer. The CPU 6receives a print signal from a host computer (external device) 16 intothe print data buffer 9 through the external interface 7, reads thereceived data from the print data buffer 9, converts it to an image, andsends it to the printer 5 for printing it out. The printer process isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,006 (issued on Dec. 22, 1987).

[0024] On the other hand, during the facsimile mode, the CPU 6 controlsthe facsimile apparatus. The facsimile process is one in accordance withthe CCITT Recommendation.

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a process in a stand-by mode in thepresent embodiment.

[0026] In S2, when the CPU 6 determines that the telephone circuit 2 isin an off-hook status, the process proceeds to S11 to switch the mode tothe facsimile mode, because there is a high probability of the facsimiletransmission or the manual reception in the off-hook status so that theapparatus is ready to immediately operate as the facsimile when thestart key 4 is depressed. Steps S11 to S13 will be described later.

[0027] In S2, if the telephone circuit 2 is not in the off-hook status,whether it is in the auto-receive mode or not is determined (S3). If itis in the auto-receive mode, the CPU 6 refers the CI detection unit 1(S4), and if it is determined that the CI is being received, the processproceeds to S11 to switch the mode to the facsimile mode.

[0028] In S4, if the CI is not being received, the CPU 6 refers thedocument detection unit 3 (S5), and if the presence of the document isdetected, the CPU 6 refers the key buffer 11 (S6). If the depression ofthe start key 4 is detected, the process proceeds to S11 to switch themode to the facsimile mode in order to switch to the copy operation.

[0029] If the start key 4 has not been depressed in S6, the CPU 6 refersthe key buffer 11, and if the depression of the receive mode switchingkey 10 is detected (S7), it switches the receive mode. Namely, if thecurrent mode is the auto-receive mode (S8), the manual receive mode isset in S10 and the process returns to S2. If the current mode is not theauto-receive mode in S8, the auto-receive mode is set in S9 and theprocess returns to S2.

[0030] S11 to S13 are steps to switch from the printer mode to thefacsimile mode. If the printer 5 is in process of printing in S11, theprocess waits until the completion of printing of a current page andthen process proceeds to S13.

[0031] While the printing is interrupted, the reception of the printdata from the external device is continued so long as the print databuffer has a vacant area so that the external device need not wait.

[0032] If the printer is not in process of printing in S11, the mode isswitched to the facsimile mode in S13, the stand-by step is terminated,and the process proceeds to the facsimile process. At the end of thefacsimile process, the process returns to the stand-by process. If printdata remains in the print data buffer 9, the printing thereof isstarted.

[0033]FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a process in the stand-by mode in asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In S22, the CPU 6 refers the hook detection unit 2, and if itdetects the off-hook status, the CPU 6 refers the key buffer 11 in S31,and if it determines that the start key 4 has not been deppressed, theprocess proceed to S32 to switch the mode to the facsimile mode. Thisprocess is attained if the print speed of the printer 5 is sufficientlyhigh.

[0035] Thus, it is no longer necessary to stop the print operation eachtime the telephone is to be used. Steps S32 to S34 will be describedlater.

[0036] If the start key 4 has not been depressed in S31, the processreturns to S22. If the off-hook status is not detected in S22, thereceive mode is checked in S23, and if it is the auto-receive mode, theprocess proceeds to S24.

[0037] In S24, the CPU 6 refers the CI detection unit 1, and if it isdetermined that CI is being received, the process proceeds to S32 toswitch the mode to the facsimile mode.

[0038] If CI is not being received in S24, the CPU 6 refers the documentdetection unit 3 (S25), and if the presence of document is detected, theCPU 6 refers the key buffer 11 in S26, and if the depression of thestart key 4 is detected, the process proceeds to S32 to switch the modeto the facsimile mode in order to switch to the copy operation.

[0039] If the start key 4 has not been depressed in S26, the CPU 6refers the key buffer 11 in S27, and if the depression of the receivemode switching key 10 is detected, the receive mode is switched. Namely,the current receive mode is determined (S28), and if it is theauto-receive mode, the manual receive mode is set in S30 and the processreturns to S22. If the current receive mode is not the auto-receive modein S28, the auto-receive mode is set in S29 and the process returns toS22.

[0040] Steps S32 to S34 are ones for switching from the printer mode tothe facsimile mode. In S32, if the print data is being received, theprocess waits until the completion of the reception of the current pagein S33, the mode is switched to the facsimile mode in S34, the stand-byprocess is terminated, and the process proceeds to the facsimileprocess.

[0041] The busy signal of the external interface 7 is rendered active totemporarily stop the reception of the print data from the externaldevice. The print data buffer 9 can be eliminated by this process.

[0042] If the print data is not being received in S32, the mode isswitched to the facsimile mode in S34, the stand-by process isterminated and the process is switched to the facsimile process.

[0043] When the facsimile process is completed, the process immediatelyreturns to the stand-by process. The reception of the print datainterrupted in S33 is resumed as required.

[0044]FIGS. 4 and 5 show flow charts of control operations in a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 4 shows a printer process in the third embodiment.

[0046] The CPU 6 refers the print data buffer 9 to check whether thereexists print data at a position pointed by a print data pointer (S62).If the print data does not exist, the process returns to S62.

[0047] If the print data exists in S62, the data pointed by the printdata pointer is read in S63, the read data is printed out (S64), and theprint data pointer is advanced to the next data position (S65). Whetherone-page printing has been completed or not is determined (S66), and ifit is not completed yet, the process returns to S62.

[0048] If one-page printing has been completed, the print data of theprinted page is deleted from the print data buffer 9 (S67) and theprocess returns to S62.

[0049]FIG. 5 shows the stand-by process in the third embodiment.

[0050] The CPU 6 refers the hook detection unit 2 (S42), and if it isthe off-hook status, it refers the key buffer 11 (S51). If thedepression of the start key 4 is detected, the process proceeds to S52to switch the mode to the facsimile mode. Steps S52 to S55 will bedescribed later. If the start key has not been depressed in S51, theprocess returns to S42.

[0051] If the off-hook status is not detected in S42, the receive modeis checked in S43. If it is the auto-receive mode, the CPU 6 refers theCI detection unit (S44), and if CI is being received, the processproceeds to S52 to switch the mode to the facsimile mode.

[0052] If CI is not being received in S44, the CPU 6 refers the documentdetection unit 3 (S45), and if the presence of the document is detected,the CPU 6 refers the key buffer 11 in S46. If the depression of thestart key 4 is detected, the process proceeds to S52 to switch the modeto the facsimile mode in order to switch the process to the copyoperation.

[0053] If the start key 6 has not been depressed in S46, the CPU 6refers the key buffer 11 (S47), and if the depression of the receivemode switching key 10 is detected, the receiving mode is switched.Namely, if the current mode is the auto-receive mode in S48, the manualreceive mode is set in S50 and the process returns to S42. If thecurrent mode is not the auto-receive mode in S48, the auto-recieve modeis set (S49) and the process returns to S42.

[0054] Steps S52 to S55 are ones for switching from the printer mode tothe facsimile mode. In S52, if the printer 5 is in process of printing,the printing is interrupted and the sheet is ejected in S53, the printdata pointer is returned to the head of the data in S54, and the processproceeds to S55. While the printing is interrupted, the reception of theprint data from the external device is continued so long as the printdata buffer has a vacant area so that the external device need not wait.

[0055] If the printer 5 is not in process of printing in S52, the modeis switched to the facsimile mode in S55, the stand-by process isterminated and the process is switched to the facsimile process.

[0056] When the facsimile process is completed, the process immediatelyreturns to the stand-by process. If print data remains in the print databuffer 9, the printing thereof is started.

[0057] If the printing is interrupted in the course of one page in S53,the pointer is returned to the head of the page in S54 and the printingis resumed from the head of the interrupted page.

[0058] Each of the above-mentioned second and third embodiments has thesame configuration as shown in FIG. 1.

[0059]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a configuration of the facsimileapparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 6, the CI detection unit 1, the hook detection unit2, the modem 13, the NCU 14, the telephone set 15, the documentdetection unit 3 and the read unit 12 are omitted although they areprovided in the same manner as that of FIG. 1.

[0060] The facsimile apparatus comprises a printer 21 for printing animage on a record sheet, a CPU 22 for controlling the facsimile, anexternal centronics interface 23 for the printer mode, a printer inputselection switch 24 for selecting an input from the CPU 22 or theexternal centronics interface 23, a mode selection switch 25 by which auser switches between the facsimile mode and the printer mode, a modedisplay unit 26 for displaying the printer mode or the facsimile mode,and a counter 27 for measuring a time left in the printer mode.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the CPU 22 sets the printer inputselection switch 24 to the external interface 23 during the printer modeso that the external interface 23 is connected to the printer 21. Theprinter 21 receives a print signal from the host computer through theexternal interface 23, converts the received signal to an image, andsends it to the printer 21.

[0062] The CPU 22 monitors a busy port or a data strobe port of theexternal interface 23 to determine whether the printer 21 has receivedthe print data from the external computer or not. The CPU 22 monitorsthe busy port at one-second interval by interruption and increments thecounter 27 every one second. The counter 27 is reset when the busy portis set or the mode selection key 25 is depressed.

[0063] During the facsimile mode, the printer input selection switch 24is switched to the CPU 22 by the CPU 22 so that the external interface23 is isolated from the printer 21.

[0064]FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the process in the stand-by mode ofthe CPU 22 in the fourth embodiment.

[0065] In S72, whether the mode selection switch 25 has been depressedor not is determined. If it has been depressed, the process proceeds toS73.

[0066] In S73, if the current mode is the facsimile mode, the printermode is set in S74 and the selection of the printer mode is displayed inthe mode display unit 26. The counter 27 is reset in S75 and the processreturns to S72.

[0067] If the current mode is the printer mode, the facsimile mode isset in S76 and the selection of the facsimile mode is displayed in themode display unit 26. The process proceeds to S72.

[0068] In S72, if the mode selection switch 25 has not been depressed,the mode is checked in S77. If it is the printer mode, the counter 27 isreferred in S78, and if the count of the counter 27 has exceeded apredetermined time, the facsimile mode is set in S76 and the selectionof the facsimile mode is displayed in the mode display unit 26. Then,the process proceeds to S72.

[0069] If the mode is not the printer mode in S77, or if the count ofthe counter 27 does not exceed the predetermined time in S78, theprocess returns to S72.

[0070] In accordance with the present invention, since the means fordetermining the external factor to operate as the facsimile is provided,the apparatus may normally stand-by as the printer and it automaticallyswitches the mode as required so that it functions as the facsimile onlywhen it is needed. Thus, it is not necessary for the user to payattention whether the apparatus is in the facsimile mode or the printermode, and the operability is significantly improved.

[0071] In accordance with the present invention, a key for switchingbetween the printer mode and the facsimile mode is not necessary, andthe display of the selection of the printer mode or the facsimile modeis not necessary. Accordingly, freedom of design is enhanced and thecost is reduced.

[0072] In accordance with the present invention, even when the usermanually sets the mode, whether the apparatus has been left in theprinter mode or not is determined, and if it has been left, the mode isautomatically switched to the facsimile mode. Thus, even if the userfails to switch back to the facsimile mode, the auto-reception isattained.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments butvarious modifications thereof may be made.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facsimile apparatus having an externalinterface and having a printer mode for printing out data receivedthrough said external interface and a facsimile mode for communicatingimage data through a line, comprising: detection means for detectingoccurrence of factor to operate as facsimile; and means normally set inthe printer mode, for switching the mode from the printer mode to thefacsimile mode in accordance with the detection by said detection means.2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detectionmeans detects a plurality of factors to operate.
 3. A facsimileapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said detection means includesfirst detection means for detecting a calling signal from the line andsecond detection means for detecting the presence or absence of adocument.
 4. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 wherein saiddetection means further includes third detection means for detecting acommand to start the facsimile communication.
 5. A facsimile apparatusaccording to claim 3 wherein said detection means further includesfourth detection means for detecting a hook status.
 6. A facsimileapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said switching means switches themode back to the printer mode in response to the completion of theoperation in the facsimile mode.
 7. A facsimile apparatus according toclaim 6 further comprising memory means for storing the print datareceived from the external interface, wherein said switching means waitsuntil the completion of the printing of a page under printing if theprinting is in process when the mode is to be switched from the printermode to the facsimile mode, and switches the mode to the facsimile modewhile the print data for the remaining pages received from the externalinterface is left in said memory means.
 8. A facsimile apparatusaccording to claim 6 further comprising memory means for storing theprint data received from a printer port, wherein said switching meansinterrupts the printing while the print data for a page under printingand the following pages is left in said memory means if the print datais being printed when the mode is to be switched from the printer modeto the facsimile mode, and switches the mode to the facsimile mode.
 9. Afacsimile apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said switching meanswaits until the reception of the print data for a page under printing iscompleted if the page is being printed when the mode is to be switchedfrom the printer mode to the facsimile mode, interrupts the reception ofthe print data and switches the mode to the facsimile mode.
 10. Afacsimile apparatus having a printer function for receiving print datafrom an external device through an external interface and printing outthe print data, comprising: call monitoring means for detecting acalling signal from a time; hook status monitoring means for detecting ahook status; document monitoring means for detecting the presence orabsence of a document; monitoring means for detecting a start keystatus; discrimination means for determining a status to function as thefacsimile by said respective monitoring means; and switching meansnormally standing by in a printer mode for functioning as a printer, forswitching the mode from the printer mode to a facsimile mode forfunctioning as a facsimile when the selection of the facsimile functionis determined by said discrimination means and switching the mode backto the printer mode immediately after the completion of the facsimileprocess.
 11. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 10 furthercomprising memory means for storing the print data received from theexternal interface, wherein said switching means waits until thecompletion of the printing of a page under printing if the printing isin process when the mode is to be switched from the printer mode to thefacsimile mode, and switches the mode to the facsimile mode while theprint data for the remaining pages received from the external interfaceis left in said memory means.
 12. A facsimile apparatus according toclaim 10 further comprising memory means for storing the print datareceived from a printer port, wherein said switching means interruptsthe printing while the print data for a page under printing and thefollowing pages is left in said memory means if the print data is beingprinted when the mode is to be switched from the printer mode to thefacsimile mode, and switches the mode to the facsimile mode.
 13. Afacsimile apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said switching meanswaits until the reception of the print data for a page under printing iscompleted if the page is being printed when the mode is to be switchedfrom the printer mode to the facsimile mode, interrupts the reception ofthe print data and switches the mode to the facsimile mode.
 14. Aprinter built-in facsimile apparatus having a Centronics interface andhaving a printer mode for functioning as a printer and a facsimile modefor functioning as a facsimile, comprising: printer input switchingmeans for selecting an input from an image data output from thefacsimile or from the external Centronics interface; printer operationdetection means for monitoring a status of the Centronics interface;time measuring means for measuring a time left in the printer mode byusing said detection means; and means for switching the mode to thefacsimile mode when the time left in the facsimile mode reaches apredetermined time.
 15. A printer built-in facsimile apparatus accordingto claim 14 further comprising manual input means for switching the modebetween the printer mode and the facsimile mode, wherein said switchingmeans switches the mode between the printer mode and the facsimile modein response to the manual input by said manual input means.
 16. A methodfor switching a mode in a facsimile apparatus having a printer mode forrecording data from an external device received through an externalinterface and a facsimile mode for communicating image data through aline, comprising the steps of: normally setting the printer mode;detecting the occurrence of a factor to operate as a facsimile; andswitching the mode from the printer mode to the facsimile mode inaccordance with the detection of the factor to operate.
 17. A method forswitching a mode in a facsimile apparatus according to claim 16 whereinsaid detection step detects a plurality of factors to operate.
 18. Amethod for switching a mode in a facsimile apparatus according to claim17 wherein said detection step detects a calling signal from the line.19. A method for switching a mode in a facsimile apparatus according toclaim 18 wherein said detection step further detects a command to startthe facsimile communication.
 20. A method for switching a mode in afacsimile apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said detection stepfurther detects a hook status.
 21. A method for switching a mode in afacsimile apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said step furtherdetects the presence or absence of a document.
 22. A method forswitching a mode in a facsimile apparatus according to claim 16 whereinthe mode is switched back to the printer mode in response to thecompletion of the operation in the facsimile mode.
 23. A method forswitching a mode in a facsimile apparatus according to claim 22 furthercomprising the steps of: storing data received from the externalinterface and recording the stored data; and switching the mode to thefacsmile mode in response to the completion of the recording of a pageif the stored data is being recorded when the mode is to be switchedfrom the printer mode to the facsimile mode.
 24. A method for switchinga mode in a facsimile apparatus according to claim 23 wherein therecording of the stored data is resumed in the printer mode following tothe completion of the facsimile mode.